By Randy Jackson(KSDK) - Crystal City police converged on 43 Harbor Point Drive about 12:30 Tuesday morning to respond to a 911 call for a shooting.
Once inside, officers found Normandy police officer Amanda Cates dead and questioned live-in friend Robert Brooks.
Brooks, 37, is a police officer with the Calverton Park Police Department. He has been charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action.
Brooks’ attorney Brad Kessler spoke with him Tuesday morning.
"I think he's concerned as anybody would be, I think he's upset as anybody would be," said Kessler.
Cates was a four year veteran of the Normandy Police Department. She had worked as a school resource officer at Normandy Middle School for three years.
The news that she wouldn't be at school quickly spread.
"The students and faculty have been handling it pretty well. We do have counselors and social workers for anybody that needs to talk about their grief," said Normandy School District spokesperson Charlene Goston.
Normandy police say Cates loved her job at the middle school. Chief Douglas Lebert said it was an assignment she chose because of the children.
"She was passionate about it," said Lebert.
Lebert and other officers wore a black mourning ribbon on their badge. Lebert said his department and the children are feeling the loss.
"Officers take this job to be a role model. That position is a mentor for those children (and a) protector for those children,” said Lebert.
As the investigation moves forward, black bunting hangs over the entrance of the Normandy City Hall and flags are flying at half-staff. Both serve as an honor for a police officer who touched so many.
"There's certainly no way to replace and officer like this, not one that was as passionate about those kids as she was," said Lebert.
Brooks is being held at the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department on $250,000 bond.